Draperstown company Heron Bros celebrates 60 years in business with contracts across Europe

2. The number of Heron Bros' direct employees has increased by 20% each year, bringing the number of total staff to 260 people-a

Published:08:45Wednesday 18 May 2016

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Draperstown company Heron Bros are celebrating their 60th year in business, this year with a packed programme of works right across Europe.

Established as a building contractor in 1956 by six brothers in Draperstown, the business has grown and diversified to reflect their keen interests in construction, land and property development, specialist joinery manufacture, quarrying, building supplies, plant hire, farming and wind energy.

Heron Bros in the early days

The business now operates across the UK, Ireland and Europe. Heron Bros has achieved high recognition for its design and construction work within the UK and Irish construction industries in particular.

Despite being only two months into the new financial year, Heron Bros already has a healthy construction order book of approximately £80m. The company has enjoyed significant geographical expansion into the UK, with the Scottish market proving particularly lucrative.

Three years ago the company made a strategic decision to open a permanent base in Scotland and it is now paying dividends, with 40% of the current order book procured in Scotland. Another factor which has helped Heron Bros on their way to doubling their turnover was being awarded the joint-venture contract to build the new €55m National Indoor Arena in Dublin.

Although the construction and property industry was a sector that was hit hardest by the economic downturn, Heron Bros has not only been able to withstand this, but has remained profitable. Moreover, the company’s financial stability was acknowledged in the Dun & Bradstreet rating of 5A1 which is the highest possible financial grade.

This is underpinned by the quality of our experienced professional and skilled workforce who share our vision of achieving excellent standards in quality, health and safety, and environmental management, while providing value for money

Damian Heron [Heron Bros MD]

Naturally, the company’s expansion has led to the need for growth in their workforce. The number of direct employees has increased by 20% each year, bringing the number of total staff to 260 people. Heron Bros also positively contributes to a wider labour pool of over 500 subcontractors who are employed on their sites throughout the UK and Ireland.

Meanwhile, sister company, Heron Property continues to thrive securing new tenants both North and South of the border.

The Property development company has been expanding their strategic investment assets including the purchase of a £10m office portfolio which is let on a long term lease to a blue chip tenant.

It works with public, private and third sector clients, successfully delivering education, leisure and stadia, commercial retail and office space, industrial, health, pharmaceutical, community and regeneration projects through a broad range of procurement styles including, but not limited to, traditional, design and build turnkey and private finance.

“We are committed to being a partner of choice by building robust, long-lasting relationships with our stakeholders.

“Through early project involvement, we implement best practice collaborative management procedures as part of our customer care policy.

“These are explained in simple terms as providing our customers with a full understanding of how we intend to meet their needs.”

Damian Heron, says the company’s aim is to work with like-minded companies who will join them ‘on our journey towards becoming a more sustainable business’.

“The expertise of our divisions in regional, national and international markets, combined with our strong partnership ethos and commitment to continuous improvement keep us at the forefront of the industry. This is underpinned by the quality of our experienced professional and skilled workforce who share our vision of achieving excellent standards in quality, health and safety, and environmental management, while providing value for money.”

The number of Heron Bros’ direct employees has increased by 20% each year, bringing the number of total staff to 260 people.

Three years ago, Heron Bros made a strategic decision to open a permanent base in Scotland and it is now paying dividends, with 40% of the current order book procured in Scotland. (Pictured: Glasgow University Stevenson Hive Building)

Ulster Rugby CEO Michael Reid today received the keys to the New Stand at Ravenhill Stadium from Damian Heron, Managing Director of Building and Civil Engineering contractors, Herons Bros, who were responsible for the £4.5 million build project.